Lost & Found

"Does anyone know who this belongs to?"  How many times have you heard a teacher or camp counselor ask that?

When Amanda was injured at school we accidentally left her backpack at the Kaiser medical building. The security officer saw the label inside and called us. It reminded me how important labels are. As we prep for our trip, summer camp and the return to school I've started compulsively labeling things.

I've put stick on address labels on all of the carry-ons we'll be taking as well as the various parts of Amanda's wheelchair. I've also put them on the backs of books and DVD cases.

I bought a complete set of Mabel's Labels  for each girl just after Danielle was born. I've used them on everything from sippy cups to stuffed animals.

The one on Danielle's baby "pinkie" has been there since she was a month old. Her pinkie went everywhere with her for years - and was left behind on more than one occasion. Thank goodness for the label. It has stuck to the blanket through hundreds of washes over the past four and a half years. It may be a little worse for the wear (so is the blanket!) but it's still legible.

With shipping a set of labels cost only $24.95 - that's about 36 cents each. I will use our last name and cell phone number instead of the girls' names so I can use the labels on either of the girls' things.  I know that this supply will last for years - and will stay on anything I put them on for years as well. 

Mabel's Labels has lots of great products. I'd like to order the Loot Bag Combos for a birthday party. I'd also like the 411 Wristbands for our next trip to Disney. By now you know that I'm "frugal" - okay, I'm cheap. I buy things on sale or at the Dollar Store. So when I splurge on something you know it must be worth the money. Check out the cute new designs on their site:

The label - still holding on 4 1/2 years later!

  http://www.mabel.ca/

I'm a Mabels' Labels Buzzmama - and periodically receive free items and samples in exchange for sharing information about their products.

Trying to Travel - Part Three - Pack, Pack, Pack!

The Trunki and the wheelchair backpack have both arrived! They look great. Danielle has been scooting around the house on the Trunki for days. She's literally a blur on it! And I love the compact, versatile wheelchair backpack.

Now the big questions: what to pack and how. We're visiting family for two weeks. It seems like a long time and my instinct is to pack everything we might possibly need. I know myself well enough to know that I need to pre-pack once so I can weed out the unnecessary stuff.

First I collect everything I'm positive we absolutely can't live without. And then, I ask myself -do you really need to carry that? Even a cheap hotel will normally provide a hair-dryer and iron if you ask. And, at least in the U.S., have you ever stayed anywhere that didn't have a clock? Most rentals and hotels have access to a washer & dryer - our families will certainly let us use theirs. I also assume that we can use whatever soap & shampoo is available as well as their towels.

There are lots of sites with very long suggested packing lists. This isn't one of them. I believe that when you are traveling within the U.S. and Canada you can pick up most of the things you need easily. I don't see the point in packing sunscreen that may explode all over your suitcase when you can buy some at your destination. I think its funny that people will spend $5 for a cup of coffee in the airport, but balk at spending the same on sunscreen when they "already have it at home." Leave it at home - it's not going to go bad while you're away and you can use it when you return. Worst case, you leave a little leftover lotion with your hosts or throw it in the trash before you head home.

People also seem to forget that they already have one outfit with them that they don't need to pack - the one they wear on the plane. My strategy is to wear the bulkiest items on the plane if you can. For instance, wear your jeans and a sweatshirt or sweater rather than pack them. Remember, despite the temperature outside the plane will be climate controlled. Wear your sneakers or boots. Definitely wear socks since you'll have to take your shoes off at security. You don't want to end up barefoot on a dirty airport floor because you wore your nicest pair of sandals.

Most people don't believe it, but I can typically squeeze everything for a family of four into one large suitcase and two or three carry-ons. Here is the final packing plan for each person:

• 2 additional bottoms (pants, shorts or skirts)
• 3-4 additional tops (each should coordinate with at least two the bottoms)
• OR 4 dresses for each girl (neither wears shorts or pants much)
• 1 light jacket or sweater if not worn on the plane
• 1 additional pair of shoes per person (maximum 2 pairs per)
• 4 sets of undergarments, including socks
• 1 swim suit
• 1 outfit to relax & sleep in
• limited toiletries: my contact solution & case, small flat iron, 2 razors, deodorant, our toothbrushes, combs & brushes
• Chargers (phone, camera, etc.)

In my carry-on tote (my old diaper bag) I'll bring:

•  Phone, wallet, sunglasses, keys, etc.
• Boarding passes
• Spare glasses & reading glasses
• Quart sized Ziploc bag of medicines
• A few bandaids
• Digital camera

 In Amanda's new backpack: 

•  1 change of clothes for each girl
• small toys, crayons & books
• snacks for both
• a sippy cup for Amanda (outer side pocket)
• Amanda's Ipad (outside back pocket)
• Danielle's Nintendo DS (outer side pocket)
• headphones for both girls
• Book or magazine

All of THIS



Only filled the wheelchair backpack HALF way!

Things I should pack (according to experts) but don’t typically:

• Bath robes (we don't own any)
• Flip-flops
• Rain Gear (we're not the type to go tramping around in the rain)
• Sewing kit
• Dress clothes
• Flashlight
• Travel alarm clock
• Hats & sunscreen
• Hostess Gifts (I send something when I get back or buy something there)

I'll let Danielle pack her Trunki. She can bring her own favorite things... whatever they are! Kevin's responsibility is to push Amanda. I don't think its fair to ask him to lug a carry-on as well. I may get stuck carrying the Trunki - or worse, Danielle & the Trunki! We'll just have to see how that works out. I hope she's as fast on it at the airport as she has been at home!

Trying to Travel

We plan to fly to Boston at the end of July. As anyone who has traveled with kids knows, this takes a little advanced prep. Our situation requires even more planning as we try to juggle one wheelchair, one stroller, carry on luggage and two kids. Fortunately Danielle now uses a booster seat so we don't have the nightmare of lugging a carseat as well.

We've taken the girls to New England and California in the past so both are experienced travelers. However, its been 18 months since we've been on a plane. For Danielle, that's a third of her lifetime. She really doesn't remember the process.

It helps to prepare her for new experiences by reading books. Books we'll read before the trip include The Noisy Airplane Ride and Going On A Plane . We have a beautiful board book that was Amanda's called Planes. The Noisy Airplane Ride is perfect for Danielle sho has a fear of unknown noises. It goes through each step of the flight, describing the noises you'll hear.

Danielle represents all of the challenges of travelling with a typical four year  old - she gets bored, restless and grumpy. She talks too loud on the plane or she wants to run through the airport. Or, worse, she wants to be carried. She's too big for a stroller now so I've bought her a special carry on of her own, Trunki. In theory a child should be able to ride on the Trunki - even be pulled through the airport if necessary.  It comes in various colors. She would have liked red, but I purchased blue due to a structural issue.

I chose the Terrence over the Ruby model because the red has two handles where the "seat" is. I couldn't envision Danielle sitting comfortably on those handles. I wanted to avoid ending up with one more piece of luggage for me or Kevin to carry. The Ruby is undeniably cuter, looking a bit like a ladybug. I've seen a cow model for sale on EBay. I think it would be great if Melissa & Doug made these 1) in more animal patterns and 2) for larger kids. Danielle is at the high end for this and we may only get one trip out of it as a ride on. Hopefully she will continue to use it as her carry on.

I'll pack a variety of toys and snacks to occupy her in the airport while we wait and on the plane. Toys will include Polly Pockets, an Olivia Carnival Play Set, ColorWonder Disney Princess Coloring Set and Dover Little Sticker books (Little Airport and Beach). Some are familiar, others are new. I'll open all of the new toys before I pack so that we're not fussing with packaging on the plane. You can't bring a wrapped gift in your carry on luggage, but I want to surprise her with some of these so I'll roll them into spare clothes. Maybe I can bring a few colored lunch bags and slip them inside without her noticing once we're onboard. I also know that the interior of the plane provides its own fun - light switches, headphones with music she can control, magazines to play "I Spy" with and, of course, barf bag puppets!

Danielle has inherited Amanda's Nintendo DS. She has one game of her own, Smart Girl PlayHouse. I bought a second SmartGirl game and her own headphones as as surprise.  I also ordered a car charger for the DS - and one for the IPad as well. That way they can entertain themselves during the long car rides between our families' houses. I like them to look out the windows and talk to us, but realistically we need a back up plan.

Right now I have no other special preparations for Danielle. I think that if she understands the process she'll enjoy it - and maybe, just maybe, we will too!

For my Listmania List go to Complete Packing